WHARF STORAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23017, 20 April 1938, Page 12

WHARF STORAGE

IMPORTERS CONCERNED HARBOUR BOARD'S ACTION SHORT NOTICE DEPRECATED Importing interests in Auckland, particularly those facer] with the necessity of ordering stocks some months in advance, are considerably perturbed at the decision of the Auckland Harbour Board not to accept any further goods on storage in its wharf sheds and to require owners of goods at present on storage to remove them within six months. It is considered that such a sudden reversal in policy will place several importing firms in a difficult position, particularly as the period of six months hardly gives them time to make satisfactoi'y alternative arrangements. " We cannot challenge the right of the board to close its wharf sheds for the purposes of storage," one importer said yesterday, "but in the past the board has encouraged us to use these storage facilities, and, indeed, has obtained a fairly healthy revenue from this source. Storage charges, as distinct from have often brought the board about £3OOO a year. Longer Period Urged "The position now is that many firms will have to find storage accommodation elsewhere. They may have goods stored at present and other goods on order for delivery in three or four months' time and requiring storage on arrival. The result is that these firms will have to make their new storage, arrangements in very short time.'' In view of all the facts, the importer continued, it seemed that the board's action was likely to prove rather precipitate. Naturally, considering the present state of the building trade, it would be impossible for the firms concerned to erect their own storage space in the limited time allowed and the general feeling was that the board would be helping to meet the position if it allowed a period of 12 months before it brought its new storage policy into operation. Source of Revenue "Storage accommodation in Auckland is not easy to obtain," the importer added, "and, in view of the past policy of the board, there has been no great call for its provision. I notice that the chairman, the Hon. T. Bloodworth, M.L.C., says it is not the function of the board to provide storage space off the wharves, but it is quite conceivable that, if the board decided to make it a function, it would have yet another source of revenue."